ESPN host accused of taking shots at Magic Johnson because he’s black

Dan Le Batard claimed that Magic Johnson only got opportunities, such as the presidency of the Lakers organization, because he is "famous and charming."

TheGrio Staff

Feb 24, 2017

Dan Le Batard claimed that Magic Johnson only got opportunities, such as the presidency of the Lakers organization, because he is “famous and charming.”

“Magic Johnson was given a late night television show, because he’s famous and charming. Failed in 11 shows,” he said on “The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz.”

He continued:

Magic Johnson was given a head coaching job of the Lakers, because he’s famous and charming, failed in 16 games. Magic Johnson, not interesting as a broadcaster, given broadcasting opportunity after broadcasting opportunity, because he’s famous and charming. And now, he gets to run the entire Lakers organization because he’s famous and charming. That’s amazing. That’s amazing. He’s a very kind man, to be in his presence is to be awash in all the things people like about celebrity, he will make you feel special, but he wasn’t good at any of those jobs I just mentioned, and he got all of those jobs, bypassing a whole lot of people who are more qualified, because he’s famous and charming.

But after hearing that criticism, Keyshawn Johnson felt that there were racial undertones to Le Batard’s comments.

“I’m going to read between the lines. I’m going to read between the lines on this one … To me, he saying because he’s a black dude, that’s the way I look at it,” Johnson said.

However, Jorge Sedano disagreed, saying, “No, I know Dan. That’s not true.”

Former Laker Mychal Thompson called in, saying that he agreed with Johnson.

“How dare he question Magic’s credentials and qualifications, when this man is a basketball genius,” Thompson said. “What does he want, he calls him popular and charming, what does he want, to step and fetch it, does that what he thinks he is, shuffling around and not being successful at everything he accomplishes in life. That ticked me off when I heard that, I’m with you Key, that was some kind of veiled racist comment there.”